Ultrasonic blade design for scoring double angle groove and products therefrom

Abstract

The present invention relates to the formation of a double angle V-groove in the backside of plastic shells to provide a preweakened section for a vehicle application. The double angle V-groove may be located at the airbag deployment opening of a vehicle.

1. An instrument panel for the interior of a vehicle passenger compartment equipped with an inflatable airbag device adapted to be deployed into a passenger space in said passenger compartment, said instrument panel including a covering having an outer surface exposed to view and a knife-cut weakening groove in said covering located beneath the outer surface for weakening the instrument panel in the form of at least a portion of an opening at said location of said airbag device, said weakening groove comprising a V-shaped configuration, wherein said V-shaped configuration comprises the following general shape: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein angle A is less than angle B and wherein said weakening groove has sides and said V-shaped configuration prevents healing of said sides back together. 
       
     
     
       2. The instrument panel of  claim 1 , wherein angle A is between 5–30 degrees and angle B is between 75–150 degrees. 
     
     
       3. The instrument panel of  claim 1  wherein angle A is 10–20 degrees and angle B is between 90–130 degrees. 
     
     
       4. The instrument panel of  claim 1  wherein angle A is 15 degrees and angle B is 110 degrees. 
     
     
       5. A cover skin for a component of the interior of a vehicle passenger compartment equipped with an inflatable airbag device adapted to be deployed into a passenger space in said passenger compartment, said cover skin having an outer surface exposed to view and a knife-cut weakening groove in the cover skin located beneath the outer surface for weakening the cover skin in the form of at least a portion of an opening at said location of said airbag device, said weakening groove comprising a V-shaped configuration, wherein said V-shaped configuration comprises the following general shape: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein angle A is less than angle B and wherein said weakening groove has sides and said V-shaped configuration prevents healing of said sides back together.